bDepartment of Metallurgy, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore 560012, India

Received 20 June 2003. Revised 8 September 2003. Available online 20 November 2003.

Abstract

A novel polymer matrix composite using coconut shell powder (CSP) as a filler material has been processed by a powder metallurgy technique. A mixture of ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) powder and CSP was compacted at 200 °C in a die-punch arrangement. The composite material remained tough when the CSP content was 20–30 vol.%, as revealed by notch impact tests and fractography studies. However, the compressive strength of the UHMWPE–CSP composite decreased rapidly beyond 20 vol.% CSP. In this paper, preliminary results are presented to throw light on mechanical properties and on some aspects of the processing method used.